Pierre-Hugues Herbert is often frustrating if you are a fan of the Frenchman. He is an exceptional doubles player but that has not translated as well into singles play, though the talent is there, highlighted by a eight match winning streak that saw him qualify and then reach the final of Winston Salem last year.
He managed to replicate some of that form, as he beat Egor Gerasimov 6-3, 7-6 to win the Bergamo Challenger this week. It was a close match with just one break point on offer, taken by Herbert in the first set. Gerasimov proved a stiffer opponent in the second, as he forced a tie-break but again was edged by the Frenchman, with Herbert winning that seven-five.
Herbert has had a good start to the year, after he qualified for the Australian Open reaching the third round before a defeat to Jo Wilfried Tsonga. Winning Bergamo ensures that he is within striking distance of the Top 100, a ranking goal he briefly reached in 2015 when he was ranked No. 92.
Gerasimov for his part, will reach his career high ranking, as he is expected to climb to around No 160, seventeen places higher than his previous best of No. 179.
Tournament highlights: Star performers beyond the two finalists include Gregoire Barrere, who enjoyed memorable wins over Dzmitry Zhrymont and Michael Berrer, and Swiss veteran Marco Chiudinelli, who beat Karen Khachanov and Quentin Halys.
